Notebookcheck's Top 10 Subnotebooks

March 2015 update. Here you will find the current best subnotebooks reviewed by Notebookcheck in the last few months. Our list of top models is regularly updated, maintained and commented on and should assist in purchase decisions.

Subnotebooks bridge the gap between the performance of big laptops and the mobility of small devices like tablets or even smartphones. In our opinion, subnotebooks are no larger than 14-inches (display diagonal), are lighter than 2 kg (~4.4 lbs) and they usually feature integrated graphics cards. The price range is big and models from 300 to 2500 Euros (~$342 to $2853) can be represented in our Top 10.

Subnotebook or ultrabook? We also created a separate Top 10 Ultrabooks with devices meeting the Intel specifications from 2013: touchscreen, low voltage Haswell processor (TDP: 15 W) or newer, battery life of 6 to 9 hours, Intel Wireless Display and USB 3.0. For the time being, our subnotebook charts include ultrabooks and subnotebooks alike.

The following table shows an overview of the Top 10 subnotebooks reviewed by Notebookcheck in the previous 12 months. If ratings are equal, the latest review is listed first. The table can be sorted by clicking its headers and filtered by entering text in the text field above it (e.g. "matte").

1st

Best of its class: Dell XPS 13-9343

Dell did not reinvent the wheel, but brings several innovations in its successful XPS 13, which make the Macbook Air competitor look very well. The flawless build quality of the slim chassis can still be praised. Sturdy hinges, premium haptics and input devices with strong feedback make the 13-incher first choice. The display frame is extremely thin and gives the signature feature of the XPS 13. The QHD+ touchscreen gives all in brightness, contrast, and colors and achieves a rare high display rating of 88%. Please note that Dell uses different displays in Germany and the US market (1st review, US series model). We also had the German model under review and the model with different TFT identifier was significantly darker.

The battery runtimes of the Broadwell architecture ranges from just under 10 to 15 hours. The Full HD model of the Dell XPS 13 is said to achieve even better runtimes. Broadwell Core i5 and fast SSD ensure very good system performance, the CPU also runs at maximum Turbo clock under load. Nevertheless, the XPS 13 remains quite quiet, and the waste heat is almost negligible. The design causes disadvantages in connectivity and WLAN receptions. If a Torx screwdriver is on hand, it is possible to maintain the battery and several components.

2nd

Compact business device: Lenovo ThinkPad X250

Lenovo's ThinkPad X250 (20CLS06D00) is a handy subnotebook with rare 12.5 inch business format. It is an almost unchanged successor of the X240 from the end of 2013. The solid case with many features is still one of the best on the market (smallest business subnotebook). This goes well with the contrast-rich Full HD display with wide viewing angles (IPS type). The keyboard and the trackpoint are stable and crisp, too. In this model, the latter comes dedicated buttons again. So, the unusual 5-button Clickpad was discarded after only a single generation.

The excellent system performance with Broadwell hardware meets low system noise and temperature increase. However, the battery life is modest. 5:30 hours in the WLAN test are worse than the competition. The price of the X250 is attractive anyway. Thanks to Lenovo's education discounts, smaller configurations are available for below 1000 Euro. Please note that low-priced X250 models are equipped with HD panel and hybrid hard drive.

3rd

Great price: Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FB003H

Best Value Award in February 2015

The Asus Zenbook UX305FA-FB003H deserves a top spot in this Top 10, since it is on par with the MacBook in build quality and input devices. In emissions (no fan), weight (1267 g), slim design (12 mm), and maintainability it is even better than the MacBook Pro Retina 13.

The light bundle convinced with a solid performance in our test, but its Core M falls behind Haswell alternatives. Asus made many things right, but the capacity of the battery was decreased in favor of weight and height. So, it only achieves a usual battery life of seven hours in the WLAN test.

Asus' pricing is interesting: comparable competitors cost at least 1100 Euros (~$1255) and come with entry-level configurations at this price point. The test model for 999 Euros (~$1140) comes with excellent components including matte 4K panel and 256 GB SSD. Asus priced the entry-level model with FHD display and 128 GB SSD at 799 Euros (~$911). This is the first time a model with such a price has achieved the first place in this top list. So, we assigned our Best Value Award of February 2015 to the Zenbook UX305FA.

4th

Haswell predecessor on sale: Asus Zenbook UX303LN-R4141H

The Asus Zenbook UX303LN-R4274H is a compact subnotebook in a not especially light, yet stable aluminum case. The newest generation with Intel's Broadwell SoC delivers rather good performance, which the SanDisk-SSD contributes to. The Asus still comes with the NVIDIA GeForce 840M, which makes the slim 13-incher gaming capable to some extent. The tester liked the bright, matte IPS display, but the contrast is weak. Despite powerful hardware, the case gets only moderately warmer. Maintenance is possible, although the base looks sealed at the first glance. After you removed the underside, you'll get to a free mSATA slot and a replaceable battery. Considering the hardware, the battery life of 8:50 can be called very good. The only real disadvantages of the UX303LN are the poor web cam and the already mentioned low contrast of the panel.

5th

Rare: matte IPS touchscreen - Toshiba Portege Z30t-A-10X

Toshiba's Portege Z30t-A-10X is similar to the sibling Portege Z30-A but adds an IPS touch panel. The expensive ultrabook is designed for business customers, which is evident when you look at the price but also the excellent features. Docking station port, high-quality magnesium case, good input devices, and very long battery runtimes are everything that these customers expect for around 1600 Euros (~$1826). Unfortunately, the 13-inch notebook does not have a DisplayPort and is comparatively loud when you stress it.

6th

Thin device: Apple MacBook Air 13

It speaks all the more in favor of the successful Apple MacBook Air 13 that Apple has only made smaller updates to the components for several years. Since the price slightly fell, the latest model of the Air 13 might become more interesting for prospective buyers. Nevertheless, Air fans hope that the slightly old HD display (1440x900) will be replaced by an especially high-res Retina display.

7th

Best Value Award in December 2014: Asus ASUSPRO Advanced BU201LA

A handy business device can also come from Asus. The 12.5-inch ASUSPRO Advanced BU201LA-DT036G is indeed surprising. The small business device only costs just under 800 Euros (~$913) but brings (almost) all features of a professional device: trackpoint, fingerprint reader, DisplayPort, matte FHD display, Smartcard slot, backlit keys, and TPM chip. In addition, the brightness is very good, the viewing angles are wide (IPS), the key feedback is strong, and the chassis is a pleasure. The short battery life of only 3:38 hours (WLAN test) is a disadvantage. Asus achieved more than a decent result and the price is much better than of more expensive competitors like the Lenovo ThinkPad X240 and the HP EliteBook 820 G1. Therefore, it won our Best Value Award in December 2014.

8th

High-end chassis: Asus Zenbook UX303LN-R4141H

Asus replaced its successful UX32LN-R4029H (840M), which is no longer offered, with the Zenbook UX303LN-R4141H with the same design. Once again, the UX houses a Haswell chip and a GeForce 840M. In our review, we did not quite understand why the name was changed since only the connectivity was slightly modified. What remained is a solid, high-quality case from a block of light metal and convincing input devices. The high brightness of the anti-reflective FHD display is a pleasure during outdoor use. Low system noise and low-noise microphone make serious office work possible. Amateur technicians will appreciate the maintainability. Despite the chassis is only 20 mm high, the underside can be removed. If you do so, you'll find a free mSATA slot. The contrast of the display is not as high as the Apple MacBook Pro Retina 13's. However, colors and color coverage are decent. We assigned our Editors' Choice Award to the Asus Zenbook UX303LN in November 2014 for the well-made bundle.

9th

Compact office professional: Lenovo ThinkPad X240

Lenovo's ThinkPad X240 with Full HD display is a 12.5-incher with a powerful low-voltage CPU that was designed for business customers. The demanding target group expects and gets traditional ThinkPad features including very good input devices, long battery life (8 hours) and a sophisticated docking solution for 1850 Euros (~$2108). The 12.5-inch display has a very fine FullHD resolution. It is bright, contrast-rich and has wide viewing angles.

10th

Luxury for the CEO: HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G1

With an equally high level, HP keeps its EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 in our Top 10. This is also true for the price. Is the 14-incher worth its 2000 Euros (~$2280, or more) or does the manufacturer squeeze money out of managers and CEOs? Customers get an excellent display. Usually only workstations or high-end consumer devices with GAMUT displays can achieve a TFT rating of 88%. We liked the very high brightness, the matte TFT (no touchscreen) and the wide viewing angles thanks to IPS . The relatively low contrast of 594:1 appears to be the only disadvantage. We did not like HP's Forcepad (a touchpad version), which requires relearning of basic input methods, that much. In addition, the GPU throttles. A device of this price range should not have such flaws. We do not mean throttling during our unrealistic stress test (which is massive), but GPU throttling during simple tasks. However, businessmen will not notice this, since the Folio 1040 G1 is still very fast. Thanks to good build quality, low temperatures/system noise and long battery life, the Folio 1040 achieved a high rating, anyway.